Contributors CDO, KW and SGG conceived this study and prepared the first draft of the manuscript. JV reviewed first draft and carried
out data analysis. FT and TS carried out data collection and analysis in consultation with the rest of the study team and
reviewed drafts of the manuscript.

Accepted 21 February 2011

Published Online First 2 April 2011

Abstract

Objective Assess the feasibility and acceptability of a patient-led syphilis partner notification strategy among pregnant women with
syphilis, their male partners and treatment completion in Bolivia.

Methods In four provinces, women who had tested positive for syphilis while attending antenatal care visits were recruited to receive
a partner notification (PN) intervention on how to notify partners of their positive diagnosis and encourage them to get tested/treated.
All women who completed PN counselling and notified their male partners completed self-administered questionnaires regarding
PN experiences. Sociodemographic characteristics associated with notification and partner treatment completion were assessed
using bivariate and multivariate analyses.

Results 144 women and 137 male partners participated; 78% women notified their partners. No women characteristics were significantly
associated with PN. Significantly more male partners (85%) who were notified by women completed syphilis treatment (p<0.05)
compared to those notified by providers (66%). In multivariate analysis, men notified by female partners had a threefold greater
odds of treatment completion compared to men who had not been notified by partners or by someone else (ie, healthcare worker)
(OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.21 to 9.90). 86% of women and 80% of men completed syphilis treatment. Our results suggest that lack of
time was considered a barrier to care among men who did not complete treatment.